It’s not even February yet, and New York has already had multiple weeks where the weather is well below freezing. Of course, life doesn’t stop because the weather is bad. So, when you head out into the freezing temperatures—especially if you’ll be out for hours, enjoying skiing or snowboarding—you have to be concerned about toe frostbite.
Now, for most people, this would be a rare complication. However, if you have reduced blood flow to your feet due to conditions such as diabetes or Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD), your risk for frost bitten toes increases dramatically. For that reason, our podiatrists in Massapequa recommend becoming aware of your current circulation levels to know your risk and take appropriate preventative measures. But before we explain how to check your circulation, let’s explore why it has such an impact on your frostbite risk.
How Circulation Impacts Toe Frostbite Risk ![Bare toes in front of snow]()
Frostbite is a condition that develops as your body responds to extreme cold. In order to preserve its core temperature, your body can restrict blood flow to your extremities. Unfortunately, that can allow the tissue in vulnerable extremities—especially your toes—to freeze. Now, anyone can develop frostbite. But if you have a prior condition that already impacts blood flow to the extremities, your risk will increase dramatically.
Conditions that impact your circulation include:
- Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD): This form of cardiovascular disease develops when your arteries harden and narrow due to internal plaque buildup. As a result, blood flow to your legs and feet can be dramatically reduced.
- Diabetes: Diabetes can impact your circulation, increasing your risk for toe frostbite. It can also lead to neuropathy, further increasing your risk for frostbitten toes because of the associated loss of sensation. After all, if you can’t feel your toes, you may not notice the early signs of frostbite on toes. As such, you won’t know to take action until the condition has progressed. For that reason, it’s very important to learn the warning signs of frostbite. And it’s equally important to understand your risk for this condition, by gaining a better understanding of your circulatory health.
Frostbite in Toes Symptoms
Toe frostbite develops in stages. The earlier you notice this condition developing, the easier it will be to take action and prevent lasting damage to your extremities.
Early Toe Frostbite Signs
In the initial stages of frostbite, you may notice:
- The skin on your toes will change colors, appearing to be red, white or taking on a yellow or gray tinge
- Your toes may feel numb or tingly; you may develop pins and needles or experience a burning sensation
- If you touch the skin on your toes, it may feel waxy or unusually firm
If you notice any of these symptoms of toe frostbite, it’s important to warm your feet as soon as possible. Go indoors and try to dip your feet in warm (never hot) water. Avoid using heating pads to help with warming, especially if you have reduced sensation in your feet due to diabetic neuropathy.
Without intervention, frostbite symptoms will progress and worsen. Your toes could become stiff and hard; they may swell, and blisters may form. When frostbite is severe, you can lose all sensation in the toes, and the skin can turn black, suggesting gangrene (tissue death) has developed. Fortunately, this level of progression is rare. In fact, with prompt attention—and careful prevention—most patients can avoid the after effects of frostbite on toes. But, to help you take appropriate preventative measures, we encourage at-risk patients to gain a better understanding of their circulatory health in our Nassau County podiatry practice.
Smart ABI and Circulation Studies
At Foot Specialists of Long Island, Dr. Mark Gasparini and Dr. Novneet Chhabra can conduct testing to assess your circulatory health. Options include:
- Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI): In our office, we can conduct Smart ABI testing. It’s a non-invasive test that compares blood pressure in your ankle and arms to detect compromised circulation due to PAD.
When indicated, we can also conduct further circulation studies to assess your current state of health and predict your risk for future complications, including toe frostbite. Some available options include:
- Doppler Ultrasound: This non-invasive test uses sound waves to help us get a better picture if your current blood flow, identifying areas where narrowed arteries have compromised your circulation.
- Pedal Pulse Check: In this physical exam, we can check the pulse level in both your feet, testing levels on top of your foot, between your first and second toes (Dorsalis Pedis artery) and on the inner side of your ankle, above your heel but behind its bony bump (Posterior Tibial artery). Using gentle fingertip pressure, we will detect the strength and rhythm of your pulse, helping further determine your circulatory health.
Even if you aren’t concerned about toe frostbite, it’s important to have a clear picture of your circulatory health. So let’s use these cold winter months to get proactive about your blood flow. Contact our office for an appointment today for circulatory support and help preventing frostbitten toes!